JH Cole award recipients 2023

The JH Cole award was established in honour of James Henery Cole, who was the AINDT Federal Council Secretary/Treasurer from its inception in 1967 through to 1985. He was a founding father of AINDT and worked tirelessly for the development of NDT in Australia. This award is named after him, so that his name and legacy are not forgotten.

The JH Cole Award which takes the form of a framed scroll, is presented to a recipient who has made a significant contribution to NDT in Australia. It is AINDT's privilege to announce the J H Cole Award recipients for 2023.

Mr Paul Grosser

Who revolutionised the way NDT Technicians are trained and examined in Australia. He has revised all training courses, created new courses and delivered them all himself. In the process he has become the most Certified NDT Technician with ISO 9721 Level 3 Certificates in PT, MT,ET,RT,UT, PAUT and TOFD. His innovations have included production of Excel based animations to enable a better understanding of the principles of NDT techniques, all of which are free for students to download. There are 25 of these on the ATTAR website and include:

• Digital radiography noise simulation tool

• Eddy current calculator

• Radiation safety - shielding & distance

• Ultrasonics analog vs digital calibration

• Simulator Phased array ultrasonics visualisation tool and

• Ultrasonics TOFD calculator

He has overhauled the AINDT exam database and assisted in the creation of an on-line examination package. Driven by the COVID pandemic lock downs, he further developed remote learning packages for students so that they have to spend less time away from home and the job, while studying.

He has also been involved in AINDT Federal Council, having been President over 2016-2018 as well as a member of the Certification Board. He has also been Chair of the IAEA NDT Technical Committee and is also a member of Standards Australia Committee MT004 NDT. Finally, Paul spent a large amount of time organising the APCNDT2023 conference.

Paul has certainly made a significant contribution to NDT and is a worthy recipient of the JH Cole Award.

Mr Paul Grosser receiving the 2023 JH Cole award from Dr Gary Martin

Mr Richard Nowak

Richard started his journey in NDT technology with Olympus, where he represented advanced NDT solutions across Australia and New Zealand in a National Technical Management role. This role him support key Mining, Maintenance, Aerospace, Defence and Oil & Gas projects.

He became an AINDT member in 2011 and contributed to the industry on the Victorian Branch Committee for over 10 years. He became President of the branch in 2014 & Federal Council Representative in 2016.

Richard has been instrumental in setting up an advanced NDT technical forum, allowing NDT experts to share ideas and technical knowledge. This positioned him as an industry leader supporting and educating the NDT industry.

and actively attends other industry relevant association’s tradeshows, technical nights and events where he has spent an inordinate amount of his career out “at the coalface” giving technical support, training and technical seminars. He consistently goes above and beyond to support the future of NDT and the people involved.

Richard Nowak consistently volunteers himself at any opportunity to promote NDT and advanced testing solutions, whether it be at AINDT social or technical events, or organised industry seminars where he gives technical presentations and demonstrations advising fellow associates on methods of inspections to assist in further developing their knowledge or inspection efficiency.

Mr Richard Nowak receiving the 2023 JH Cole award from Mr Graham Maxwell

Mr Neil Young

Neil’s nomination was put forward by two members of the WA Branch council and supported unanimously at the Branch Council Meeting in July 2022. Neil has supported the AINDT as a representative on the Federal Council for 10 years, 8 years

as a director, and as as AINDT Federal President for 2 years. He has made outstanding contributions at both branch council and federal level including his promotion of AINDT as the certifying body of choice within Australasia.

In recent years he has been involved in the development and review of international standards relating to NDT methods and been major part of the alignment and integration with AICIP.

Neil is consistently providing energy, passion and time commitments in supporting and engaging with young people, providing necessary training, and integrating them into the industry.

Mr Neil Young receiving the 2023 JH Cole award from Mr Richard Stocker